Malware
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What is
Malware?
Malware is intrusive software that is designed to
damage and destroy computers and computer
systems.
A set of instructions that run on your computer
and make your system do something that an
attacker wants it to do.
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What does it do?
• Steal your sensitive, personal information
• Delete files
• Steal software serial numbers
• Use your computer as they want
• Restrict access to your own file
• Fraud
• Make your computer slow.
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Types of
Malware
Virus
Trojan Horses
Worm
Spyware
Ransomware
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Computer Virus
• A computer program that can copy itself and infect a
computer without the permission or knowledge of the
owner.
• Like a biological virus, they can spread quickly and widely,
causing damage to the core functionality of systems,
corrupting files & locking users out of their computers. They
are usually contained within an executable file.
• Once downloaded, the virus will lay dormant until the file is
opened and in use.
• When you connect a Flash Drive infected with viruses into a
newly bought laptop, that will get infected with copied
viruses without user’s knowledge
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Trojan Horse
• Act like a friend but do something harmful to computer.
• This is happening with user’s knowledge.
• Just like Greek soldiers hid in a giant horse to deliver their attack, this type
of malware hides within or disguises itself as legitimate software. Acting
discretely, it will breach security by creating backdoors that give other
malware variants easy access.
• Examples:
• You will receive an email saying that you won a prize click here to
claim your prize. Once you clicked. You will redirect to some other
websites asking your personal details/ credit card details which will be
then misused by someone.
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Worm
•A malicious software that rapidly replicates and spreads to any device within
the network.
•Worms get their name from the way they infect systems. Starting from one
infected machine, they weave their way through the network, connecting to
consecutive machines in order to continue the spread of infection.
•Can infect entire networks of devices very quickly.
• Infects a device via a downloaded file or a network
connection before it multiplies and disperses at an
exponential rate. Like viruses, worms can
severely disrupt the operations of a device and cause
data loss.
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Spyware
•Spyware is malicious software that runs secretly on a computer and
reports back to a remote user.
• Spyware, as its name suggests, is designed to spy on what a user
is doing.
•Rather than simply disrupting a device’s operations, hides in the
background on a computer, this type of malware will collect
information without the user knowing, such as credit card details,
passwords and other sensitive information.
•Often used to steal financial or personal information.
•A specific type of spyware is a keylogger, which records your
keystrokes to reveal passwords and personal information. 8
Ransomware
• Gains access to sensitive information within a system,
encrypts that information so that the user can not access it,
and then demands a financial payout for the data to be
released.
• By clicking a disguised link, the user downloads the
ransomware.
• The attacker proceeds to encrypt specific information that
can only be opened by a mathematical key they know. When
the attacker receives payment, the data is unlocked.
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Symptoms
of Malware
• Functions slower than normal
• Responds slowly and freezes often
• Restarts itself often
• See uncommon error messages, distorted menus, and dialog
boxes
• Lack of storage
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How to Prevent
Malware Infections
Install anti-malware software
Avoid clicking unknown links and pop-ups
Be aware of the e-mails and attachments
you open
Check for updates on antivirus software
regularly
Backup your computer.
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Test your
knowledge!
Scan the QR
code to
attempt the
quiz.
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Thank
You!!!
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